After Mr. Stewart’s performance, Miley and Adriano had made their way to the dessert table.
“Your dad is awesome!” said Adriano. “Did either you or your brother inherit his musical talent?”
“Not exactly,” said Miley. She took another bite of a dessert that Adriano had called torta de banana. It tasted like a pie made from bananas. After all the dancing, Miley had gotten hungry again. “Neither of us can really sing like him.”
“That’s too bad,” said Adriano. “He’s amazing.”
“I’ll tell him you said that,” said Miley. “He’ll be really happy.” She had to admit her dad had put on a good show. Clearly, the Brazilian music scene was inspiring him. Miley was excited to hear the new Hannah Montana songs he was going to write.
“Speaking of amazing,” said Adriano, “guess who’s coming to Rio de Janeiro? Hannah Montana!”
“Oh, really?” said Miley, trying to sound surprised.
“She’s performing on Copacabana Beach. It’s going to be a great show. I’m sure you’ve seen the billboards. They’re nearly everywhere.”
Miley nodded. Secretly, she was thrilled that she would be performing as Hannah Montana at such a famous venue. Plus, the concert would be outside! Of course, she couldn’t tell Adriano.
Just then, Amber walked up to them.
“Hey, how long are you in town?” Adriano asked Miley. “Maybe you could come to the Hannah Montana concert with me and Amber.”
“Uh,” said Miley. Her last bite of torta de banana sat like a lump in her throat. “I’m here for three more days, but my dad made a bunch of plans. So I’m kind of booked.”
“I can only get two tickets anyway,” said Amber. “Hannah Montana seats are really hard to come by, you know.” She smiled sweetly at Adriano.
“Amber got us tickets to the hottest show in town! She knows people who know Hannah Montana. Isn’t she amazing?” Adriano said, putting his hand on Amber’s shoulder.
“Really? She knows people who know Hannah Montana?” Miley asked suspiciously.
“So sorry, Miley,” Amber said, not sounding sorry at all. “Two tickets are all I’ve got. Too bad about missing out on the concert of a lifetime and all.”
“Yeah, too bad,” Miley agreed. Who had given Amber tickets? she wondered. She couldn’t help feeling skeptical.
“Because Adriano and I are going to have the best time,” Amber said.
Miley smiled politely. The band was playing a slow song, and the other guests were still chatting, eating, and dancing. Despite the circumstances, Miley had had an incredible time at Adriano’s party. Still, she didn’t think she could take another second with Amber. Miley ate her final bite of torta de banana and said she was calling it a night.
Now to round up my family, Miley thought. She looked around the backyard. Her dad was hanging with the musicians; Jackson had gotten into a pickup soccer game with Adriano’s teammates; and Roxy had found another capoeira fan in Adriano’s aunt. They were practicing their moves on a corner of the lawn.
Miley finally managed to get her family and Roxy to follow her out. Adriano walked them to the front door.
“Hey, Miley, there’s something you have to do before you leave Brazil,” said Adriano. “You should come with me and Amber to Tijuca National Park. It’s a rain forest in the middle of the city. There are mountains and waterfalls. It’s phenomenal! You have to see it. I can’t go tomorrow—I have a team thing. So what about the next day?”
“I think my dad made plans for the beach—” Miley said.
“Oh, no, you go ahead,” Mr. Stewart interrupted. “Adriano, that was a super party.”
“Rio is so much more than beaches,” Adriano added. “Plus, Amber says you have beautiful beaches at home.”
“I’m sure Amber would like to spend the day alone with you,” Miley said.
“Why would she want that?” Adriano looked confused. “She’ll want to see her friend from home.”
Boys could be really dense sometimes, Miley thought.
The limousine pulled up in front of the de Souzas’ house.
“We’ll pick you up at noon,” continued Adriano. “Amber and I will be hurt if you say no.”
Now what was she supposed to say to that? Miley wondered. She nodded, already trying to think of a plan to survive an entire day with Amber.